You observe your children lining up toys. Cars, trucks, bottles, blocks are lined up. Sometimes there are car noises.
Some children can play like this for hours. What does this mean? For some, children lining up cars and objects is their preferred way of playing. For some, it is the only way they know how to play.
A Google search will have some parents convinced that their child is on the autistic spectrum. However, one symptom does not make a child autistic. Are there other behaviors that are repetitive or ritualistic?
Here is a list of behaviors that may want a parent or caregiver to seek the appropriate referral to evaluate for Autistic Spectrum Disorder:
- walks on tiptoes
- opens and closes door in a repetitive manner
- turns light switches on and off in repetitive manner
- becomes upset when order of toys is disturbed
- replaces toy/objects after it has been moved out of place
- flaps hands, arms
- repetitive finger, hand, wrist and arm movements
- spins self around
- runs laps around tables, couch, family members
- looks at objects out of the corner of their eyes
- plays with shadows
- poor and fleeting use of eye contact
- averts eye gaze when someone gets too close or when hugged
- ignores others
- does not point to request or show objects
- places body into tight spaces
- extremely picky eater
- delayed speech and language
Every child is different!
Yes, some children may be going through a phase where they exhibit one or some of the aforementioned behaviors. If the phase persists, then seek help from a qualified healthcare professional like a behavioral specialist, speech-language pathologist or an occupational therapist.
If you are in denial, seek out information. Ultimately, do what is best for your child. For children under 3 years of age, contact Early Intervention. For children older than 3 years old, then contact your local school district department of special education. Ask your pediatrician for a referral.
How naturopathic doctors can help
Seek out a Naturopathic Doctor. They can answer questions about diet, nutrition, supplements and homeopathic remedies to assist your child’s body and begin a process of healing. Naturopathic doctors approach ASD and similar behaviors from a holistic perspective, creating the conditions for health in your child.
Do you want to learn more about naturopathic approaches? Give me a call today.
An approach to help children with autism and other developmental disorders. Step by step causative factors (pharmaceutical and over the counter medications, environmental toxic exposures, effects of illness, medical/dental procedures, etc.) are detoxified with homeopathic remedies. CEASE stands for Complete Elimination of Autistic Spectrum Expression. This approach was developed by Tinus Smits, MD, a Dutch homeopathic physician to help children and adults on the Autistic Spectrum recover and optimize function.This approach can also be used for children and adults with chronic disease. No 2 children are the same, therefore, every plan is individualized as exposures and causative factors vary from case to case.
This involves looking closely at your typical food intake in combination with the stressors in your life. What you eat, levels and types of stress, and your relationship with food all inform the consequences of your lifestyle choices. We will discuss how to modify them to improve your health and well-being.
Dilutions of flower material that affect change on mental and emotional levels. The effects can be compared to the experience of hearing a favorite song or looking at a photo of a beloved friend, family member or pet. That same feeling of joy, bliss and happiness can occur when a flower essence is customized and blended for you.
Plant-based remedies used to support and strengthen, or calm and pacify different body systems. Based on your unique needs an herbal formula can be prepared. Formulas may be in the form of a tablet, capsule, tincture, tea, or powder.
Homeopathic and energetic remedies used to detoxify the body and stimulate a state of wellness. The goal is to re-balance the body so it can handle normal, daily stressors and help establish an increased level of wellness.
Keeping in mind the naturopathic medical premise that the body has the innate ability to heal itself, we look at your diet to determine whether or not you are getting the essential nutrients your body needs to maintain optimal health. I then make the recommended dietary modifications needed to re-balance essential nutrients supporting your body’s ability to healing itself.